DIVISION 1
LONGFORD returns from the bye hoping a win against George Town at home on Saturday can resurrect its season.
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Country Tigers coach Tom Reinmuth said the spell had his players refreshed and keen to continue developing as a group following a 1-5 start. “It’s another tough challenge for us… we are starting to get there with our effort and applying ourselves to role given to each player,” he said.
Injury has ruled Tiger Jake Murfett, while Saints boss Allan O’Sign said Tyson Jones would rejoin his line up.
“It is probably another game where we come up against a team vying for a berth in the finals so it’s going to be right on,” he said.
“Hopefully we can bring our physicality and get over the line.” George Town are eight points outside a top-five position.
In-form SCOTTSDALE host a Rocherlea side that regained some bite against Bridgenorth after a couple of tough weeks.
Suburban Tigers coach Lyndon Stubbs said the Magpies on their home deck are always a tough proposition.
“The weather is not going to be suited to playing possession football, we just want to keep it simple,” he said.
“Luke Purdon, presuming he passes a fitness test, should come back in.”
Magpies coach Geoff Mohr said he is confident his team’s four-match winning streak can be extended.
“We have won our past two wet games quite convincingly… especially last week we were very clean in the contest,” Mohr said.
“Ken Walsh will return.”
Both outfits are tied on points in a three-way tussle for third spot.
HILLWOOD coach Jacob Lowe said he is wary of Deloraine’s unpredictability heading into their round 8 battle at Shark Park.
He said a whole-hearted four quarters of football was what he is chasing with Josh Moore, Ryan Choveaux and Nick Bauld all likely inclusions. Kangaroos coach Brett Smith he is craving consistency from his charges and not just sporadic periods of good play.
“We have just got to get back to basics, Hillwood are a pretty quick running side so hopefully we will be able to match them with pace,” Smith said.
BRIDGENORTH face the competition’s toughest task in Bracknell at Parrot Park.
Parrots coach Patrick Mackrell said three changes were likely.
“Bracknell have a few standout players that that have been performing that we’ll have to negate and try and work into our strengths,” he said.
The Redlegs are the only team with an unblemished record but coach Garry Shipton said “we’re along way from where we need to be”.
Jacob Gelston will sit out due to suspension for striking.
SOUTH LAUNCESTON has the bye.
DIVISION 2
OLD LAUNCESTONIANS coach Wayne Kirby says his side’s victory over Tamar Cats last week has given it a benchmark for the rest of the season.
The Blues have jumped into eighth position and encounter a fledgling Meander Valley at Invermay Park on Saturday.
“We had five KPIs and we met four of them… we’ve got the Suns, Bridport and then a break so it is an important few weeks,” Kirby said.
“Our workrate for each other on Saturday was brilliant and we have just got to get into the habit of reproducing it.”
The Blues will be without Toby Omenchu and Josh Schaeche but welcome back Luke Johnston, Frank Archer and Adrian Collins. Suns coach Michael Bowden said they are a chance of picking up four points despite their 1-5 record.
He said Matt Nicholson and Ethan Miller will return.
LILYDALE has moved level with Evandale in the race for second spot and coach Thane Bardenhagen is determined to either stay there or overtake them with a victory over St Pats.
He said the Saints were capable of causing some damage especially with Matt Stokes, Reuben Rothwell and Jack Venn being added to the Demons’ growing injury list.
“We can’t afford to drop any games so the goal for us is to go through the rest of the season and consolidate second spot, because it is an advantage come finals time,” Bardenhagen said.
Demon Bailey Hawes will return for his 150th match, while the seventh-placed Saints regain coach Alex Russell, Harry Chapman and Brad Pearton.
“Lilydale are a very good side especially at home,” Russell said.
OLD SCOTCH run into a rising Perth squad looking to claim a big scalp at the NTCA Ground in a battle for the Harper-Williams Memorial Cup.
Magpies coach Damian Rhind is content with fourth spot and described this week’s task as the ultimate test.
“Unfortunately Jason Reeves and Nathan Worker will miss with injuries, which will limit our ability to really put in a strong challenge but we have a bit more depth than we have had in the past,” he said.
Thistles co-coach Jake Terry said Perth would not be taken lightly.
“We obviously haven’t lost a game yet and I think that is way and beyond where you want to be,” Terry said.
“We will look to continue to play the same brand and keep getting the job done.”
BRIDPORT will be without a plethora of its first-pick names at home against Tamar Cats.
Seagulls coach Brett Laskey said it was likely to be a “tough day” with Jesse Boyce, Tom Martello, Monita Makitae, Clayton Nettlefold, Dominic Hawksley, Rob Lade, Ben Laskey and Cale Bourke all likely omissions.
Bridport is one of four teams with a solitary win to its name, while the Cats are placed fifth.
EAST COAST hosts Prospect as they look to push their win-loss ratio into positive territory.
Swans coach Ned Hyland said star Dakota Bannister is unavailable but former South Launceston and Launceston state player Michael Musicka was set to make his club debut.
EVANDALE coach Anthony Axton said he is confident of returning to the winner’s list against Uni-Mowbray at University Oval.
Harper-Williams Memorial Cup
OLD SCOTCH and Perth will again recognise the contributions of two past champions at NTCA Ground on Saturday.
Since 2006, the two clubs have paid tribute to Barry Harper and Cliff Williams.
“Barry, an ex-City South champion, coached both clubs to premierships with Cliff Williams his on-field general in many memorable victories spanning well over a decade,” Thistles great Geoff Price said.
“This season both teams are witnessing a resurgence in young players joining our ranks – this augurs well for the future of our clubs.
“This is very obvious in the case of the Perth Football Club where improvement could see them play finals football this year.
“One of the factors that they attribute their improvement to is the influx of youth and a cultural change this brings about.”
Both clubs said they were saddened by the passing of Phil Edwards and wished to acknowledge The Examiner journalist’s contribution to local football.
TWL NORTH
LADDER-LEADERS Evandale travel to Scottsdale on Friday night to take their nearest rivals.
Both teams are full of young talent and the game should go down to the wire with Ebony Vocke, Sophie Townshend, Courtney Grice and Elisha Faulkner all returning for the Weagles.
Maddi Bugg and Kaylene Adams are out along with Renee Wilson. Scottsdale have a full list to select from and will look to Gemma James to kick another bag and to Jessica Casey and Dearne Taylor to continue their great form.
PROSPECT head to Rocherlea on Friday night looking for their first win of the year. The Hawks have shown promising signs and could push an improving Rocherlea team looking for their second win.
Tiger Madeline Howe has been in stunning form and well supported by the Jennings sisters, Alicia and Jade, while Alissia Pearson has been a shining light for Prospect.
Helper Cox a proud Parrot
JENNY Cox has donated her time and support to the Bridgenorth football Club for the past eight years years.
Cox’s interest started by coming to watch her son Luke play, which evolved into her helping out in the kiosk and later joining the committee in 2011.
Cox is the club secretary, leads the the Parrot’s catering committee and organises Thursday night player’s teas.
“Jenny will be one of the first to be at the ground on home games to start preparing all the food that is required for the day, you will see her walking around the ground selling raffle tickets and then cleaning up at the end of the day,” president Denis Broomby said.
“She is a very good cook and at club functions everyone looks forward to when Jenny brings out her cooking to feed all the hungry patrons that are there enjoying themselves, especially her sponge cakes.”
Cox is this week’s nominee for the NTFA MyState volunteer of the year award.